Woodstock City Council

With remaining votes reported in the April 1 local election, did any results change?

Voters this week in McHenry County determined who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries. See the results here.

Write-in votes and outstanding mail-in ballots in McHenry County local elections might not be counted until April 15.

Voters in the McHenry County are selecting hundreds of local municipal leaders in the election that ended Tuesday. Here are a few things to watch for as results come in.

This spring, McHenry County voters get to decide who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries.

Read the transcript from the Woodstock City Council candidates forum for their full thoughts on how they would improve the city

Candidates for Woodstock City Council including Theo Dice, Gregory A. Hanson, Lou Ness, Tom Nierman, Joseph "John" Puzzo and Bob Seegers debated the issues in a candidate forum co-sponsored by the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Shaw Local

Joseph "John" Puzzo: City should only be able to ensure traffic movement during construction, including alternate routes to be available if both lanes are shut down simultaneously.

Lou Ness: The single biggest missing in Woodstock is a decent hotel. Several times when I have hosted family events, I have sent people to other communities as the local hotels have not worked out very well

The original development plan for Riverwoods was approved many years ago, and the current proposal now includes a section dedicated to townhomes. This updated plan prioritizes environmental sustainability by integrating a greater percentage of greenspace.

Joshua Fourdyce on a top priority for Woodstock: Infrastructure - When I started working for the City in 2004, the plan to widen Route 47 was referred to as “5 years away.” 21 years later it still hasn’t happened

Theo Dice: Having visitors stay closer to downtown will help with the overwhelming traffic during the city’s busiest events and it will boost the revenue of our small businesses

Bob Seegers Jr. on a top priority for Woodstock: Tax load on residents - Only authorize spending on necessary infrastructure and operations/city services and not on any items that don’t benefit “the majority” of residents

Gregory A. Hanson: After eight years of discussion and planning about the Route 47 project, the City of Woodstock should have a well thought out and executable plan ready to go on Day 1

Woodstock leaders have agreed to spend nearly $155,000 to commission a master plan study on the future of its downtown.

Woodstock has approved a temporary garbage financial assistance program meant to help residents through the city’s transition to mandatory totes.

Woodstock wants a vacant property downtown and plans to use eminent domain to acquire it.

Former McHenry County Board member Lou Ness is running as a write-in candidate for Woodstock City Council.

Right on the heels of that other election, filing begins for local races, which take place -- not an April Fool's joke -- on April 1, 2025.

The controversial Woodstock Riverwoods development, along with Opera House renovations and a hotel for downtown were among items city leaders touted as State of the City Tuesday.

Woodstock city officials pointed to unfunded Environmental Protection Agency mandates and “significant increases” in costs for chemicals needed to operate the system as some of the reasons for this year’s increase.

The Woodstock police station will get a fence around its parking lot to address instances of people "with questionable intent, entering into what is supposed to be a restricted area.”

Woodstock’s City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday for another set of approvals for Chicago Hubs Realty’s proposed project at the Die Cast site.

Woodstock on Tuesday could take another step toward building out the Die Cast site more than a month after the Plan Commission voiced concern for the current proposed project.

A new marijuana dispensary in Woodstock could open by the end of this year after the City Council approved a special use permit for one in town at its meeting on Tuesday.

Woodstock is close to having its first marijuana business open in town and could see it expand to include a dispensary before the end of the year.

Woodstock's Plan Commission voted 4-1 to recommend against the city moving forward with a proposal for the old Die Cast site in downtown.

Woodstock’s lone incumbent along with two active community members held the lead Wednesday in the City Council race, as unofficial and incomplete results had the group ahead of the pack by more than 200 votes.

Here are updated results throughout Tuesday night on municipal elections in McHenry County

Nearly four dozen of the local races in McHenry County will be competitive on Tuesday, as voters head to the polls to decide who will lead their school boards, municipalities, libraries and parks.

New fees, more business and budget cuts were some of the ideas Woodstock City Council candidates shared for how they would like to see the city’s finances handled.

Many candidates running for Woodstock's City Council want to see the city focus on the Die Cast site, while others pointed to other areas they feel need more attention

Eight of the nine candidates running for Woodstock City Council are expected to attend a forum on Wednesday night at the Woodstock Opera House.

Here are all the candidate questionnaires for Woodstock races.

Question: What projects or infrastructure would you look to address in your community and how would you do it? Answer: In Woodstock, the roads are a primary concern...a very high concern. Read Thomas West's full election questionnaire here.

Question: What did you learn from the pandemic? Answer: To that end, I believe our federal government tried to inject a significant amount of fear in the country. They practically demanded we all get jabbed with an experimental vaccine. Read Bryson Calvin's questionnaire here.

Question: How would you spur economic development in your community? Answer: Encourage development of affordable housing, using infill of space as close to the central city as possible. Read Joe Starzynski's full election questionnaire here.

Question: What projects or infrastructure would you look to address in your community and how would you do it? Answer: I would support an increase in funding for our police and public works. Read more of Mark Indyke's election questionnaire here.

Question: How would you spur economic development in your community? Answer: Give people a reason to spend. Attract businesses that will be successful and supported in the community. Read Melissa McMahon's full election questionnaire here.

As license plate readers pop up across McHenry County, police agencies are touting the benefits they can bring in solving crimes, but residents and groups alike are voicing concern over privacy and a feeling of being watched.

Woodstock approved another round of change orders for the Old Sheriff’s House and Courthouse, bringing the expected cost of the project to around $16.3 million.s

Woodstock granted site control of the Die Cast site to a potential developer, launching the process that could lead to a development agreement

Woodstock approved a new preview agreement for the Coleman's Tavern and Grill, which could see a new restaurant developed at the spot.

Woodstock approved moving forward with applying for the grant needed for its inclusive playground

The towns met Sunday ahead of a possible Monday deadline that would prohibit municipalities from enacting a one-cent tax on each game played a video gaming terminals. They were notified late Thursday a bill was passed by state lawmakers that could prohibit establishing "push taxes."

The facade design for the proposed renovation of Woodstock's Old Courthouse and Sheriff's Jail building was given a thumbs up from the Woodstock City Council Tuesday.

The Woodstock City Council approved the purchase of the Die Cast/Woodstock station site Tuesday evening.

Woodstock City Council members voted Tuesday night to authorize the issuance of a $10 million bond to repair streets and a 3-cent gas tax to help pay off that debt.

The city of Woodstock is discussing acquiring the former Die Cast site.

Woodstock City Council will move forward with its plan to implement a 3-cent local gas tax in an effort to put millions toward its roadways in 2020 and beyond.